Biocompatible polyacrylate compositions and methods of use

Abstract

A biocompatible polymer material is described that exhibits mechanical and physical properties that are fundamental to many medical devices and treatment of many medical diseases and disorders. The material is composed of a combination of acrylate monomers polymerized via a microemulsion polymerization. Multiple applications of the polymer material are presented.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising an emulsion of polymer and water, wherein said polymer comprises a copolymer of a base acrylate and a supporting monomer. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said polymer is in the form of nanoparticles. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a medical device selected from a bandage, wound dressing, patch, implant, film, topical, injectable, ingestible, coating, interface, prosthetic, or adhesive. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said base acrylate and said supporting monomer is present in a weight ratio range of 7:3 or 8:2 base acrylate to supporting monomer, and wherein said polymer comprises 1%-30% of the emulsion. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said base acrylate is butyl acrylate, methyl acrylate or ethyl acrylate, and said supporting monomer is methyl methacrylate, methacrylate, styrene, methacrylamide, phenyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, or a combination of two or more of the foregoing. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein said composition comprises two or more supporting monomers. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said polymer is in the form of nanoparticles ranging from 10-400 nm, wherein said additive is a bioactive agent that is encapsulated within said nanoparticles, and wherein said additive is one or more additives selected from among tocopherols, aloe, doxycycline, amphotericin B, clarithromycin, cefdinir, penicillin G, and penicillanic acid. 
     
     
         8 . A method of preparing a composition, comprising:
 combining a base acrylate and a supporting monomer with water, a surfactant, and a water soluble radical initiator to form a monomer suspension or emulsion; and   polymerizing the monomer suspension or emulsion to form a polymer emulsion.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the weight percent of water in the monomer suspension or emulsion is 70% to 99%. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the weight ratio of base acrylate to supporting acrylate is in the range of 7:3 to 8:2. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the base acrylate is butyl acrylate, methyl acrylate or ethyl acrylate, and said supporting monomer is methyl methacrylate, methacrylate, styrene, methacrylamide, phenyl acrylate and/or ethyl acrylate. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  8 , wherein the water soluble radical initiator is selected from the group consisting of peroxides, alkyl hydroperoxides, sodium salt of persulphate, ammonium salt of persulphate, potassium salt of persulphate, thiosulphates, metabisulphites, and hydrosulphides. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of lauryl alcohol, sodium dodecyl sulfate, lechitin, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate, sodium dioctyl sulphosuccinate, sodium or potassium salt of a fatty acid; sodium or potassium salt of a saturated fatty acid; and mixtures of any of the foregoing. 
     
     
         14 . A method of protecting, promoting the healing or closure of, coagulating, covering, filling, and/or delivering an additive to, a tissue of a subject, comprising applying a composition to hard or soft tissue, wherein the composition comprises an emulsion of polymer and water, wherein said polymer comprises a copolymer of a base acrylate and a supporting monomer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the tissue is a wound. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the composition is applied to adhere and repair injuries to soft tissue. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the composition is applied as a medical sealant or a medical adhesive. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the composition is applied as a hemostatic agent. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the composition is applied as a permanent filler subcutaneously. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the composition is applied to an absorbent material.